Audio
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May 2, 2025
An astronomer explores the cosmos and the limits of what science can test. Plus, how the mysterious properties of pasta—like how it bends, coils, and breaks—have been tested by physicists for decades. And, millions of years ago, iguanas somehow got from North America to Fiji. Scientists think they made the trip on a raft of fallen vegetation.
16:27
Studying Earth to Learn About Mars
Planetary scientists and future explorers are trying to learn about our neighboring planet without ever leaving Earth.
29:30
Utah’s Fossil Finds Describe an Ancient World
A panel of paleontology experts describes some of Utah’s ancient treasures.
20:38
Monitoring the Monarchs
Monarch expert Lincoln Brower discusses the decline in monarch butterfly populations.
12:40
The Teenage ‘Troublemaker’ Fighting for Science
Zack Kopplin is campaigning to keep creationism off the science class syllabus.
11:53
Looking to Nature for Antibiotic Inspirations
Microbiologists are learning bacteria-killing tricks by studying phage viruses.
6:16
Poring Over The Science Of Coffee
Harold McGee explains the chemistry in your cup of joe.
28:17
Down the Gullet: A Guided Tour of Your Guts
In Gulp., science writer Mary Roach travels through the intestines–and out the other end.
12:16
Red Meat’s Heart Risk Goes Beyond the Fat
A chemical in red meat, L-carnitine, may increase the risk of heart disease in people and mice.
25:37
Searching for the Roots of ‘Right’ and ‘Wrong’
Primatologist Frans de Waal explores the origins of morality in The Bonobo and the Atheist.
12:24
Bees Emerging After a Hard Winter
Apiculturist Eric Mussen discusses the plight of the modern honeybee.